it's hard to pinpoint what has done the most damage to my knees over the years, I tend to think it was all the football I played in my youth that did most of the damage.

However that said I was doing randori with a heavy set (fat) Brown belt when I attempted Yoko Sutemi Waza

he pulled back and landed with his kneecap on the side of my knee and within a minute I had a swelling on my knee the size of a small child.
After 3 weeks of rest and elevation I still have a pressure bandage over the injury and it has yet to return to normal. (I'm assured that it will make a full recovery)

Do not ever, ever, I repeat EVER post that video again, or any others from that supposed judo black belt.

Thank you.

Ben

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

"The best part of getting you worked up is your backpack full of irony and lies." -It Is Fake

"Banning BKR is like kicking a Quokka. It's foolishness of the first order." - Raycetpfl

Perhaps it's worthwhile to lift weights for a while and build muscle for protective purposes before going out for judo classes, then? I'd also do this in tandem with running to build stamina and strengthen my body some more.

Cheers.

Don't let all the horror stories stop you from trying Judo. Take it slow, do not go into full on randori at first (in a well instructed setting, that won't happen anyway).

If you are doing what is generally termed "recreational" Judo, you should be fine. There is always a possibility of injury to your fingers/hands/wrists/arms regardless, it's a contact activity.

Ben

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

"The best part of getting you worked up is your backpack full of irony and lies." -It Is Fake

"Banning BKR is like kicking a Quokka. It's foolishness of the first order." - Raycetpfl

Several people have mentioned collarbone fractures -- when you're thrown forward such as by seoinage in particular, resist the temptation to put your hand straight out in front of you down on the mat.
Elbows, of course. And over the long term, knees and shoulders. Donn Draeger did a whole load of different MA's but always said that judo was hardest on the body. In fact he called judo "the great crippler." He was very tough, lots of weight training, but also very flexible, something he emphasized for injury prevention.

Just got Mallet Finger on my L ring finger from judo training :[
This is where the tendon that straightens the tip of the finger has ruptured and fails to straighten all the way.
It wasn't sore, but 6 weeks in a splint!!! 6 weeks out of action (Plus 6 hours in A&E, but thats another story!)

Learn your ukemi (both sides!), don't worry about getting thrown, don't force what you don't have (cause of my ACL injury), and keep a close eye on that big new guy who hasn't been around long enough to learn 1, 2 and 3.

Learn your ukemi (both sides!), don't worry about getting thrown, don't force what you don't have (cause of my ACL injury), and keep a close eye on that big new guy who hasn't been around long enough to learn 1, 2 and 3.

Good advice

Funnily enough my mallet finger (now repaired thank god) was gained playing a warm up game with the junior class!